President's
Message

Using Data for the Difficult Conversations

As veterinary medicine and the livestock industries continue to evolve and maintain a progressive stance, we often face challenges in
regard to ethics and interpretation of our social license within our profession. There are a few current issues facing our industries and
the profession.

Some of these require us to take a position, but more importantly, we need to report the research and science behind the issues. At
times, we may not agree with a specific position, but if data from well-conducted, peer-reviewed studies exist, then we must report the
facts.

One current example is the upcoming ban on tail docking in dairy cattle by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). The NMPF
originally slated 2022 to be the year for discontinuing tail docking, but in October of 2015, the NMPF board approved a resolution to
change the deadline to 2017.

NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern said, “On this issue, the science, the advice of our technical experts and requests from our dairy
customers and consumers, are all aligned. Today’s action demonstrates that dairy producer-leaders want to be proactive, yet pragmatic, in
addressing animal care concerns”.

Certain states such as California as well as countless other countries have led the way with this issue, but there are still those in
opposition. Recently, some of my local dairy producers and clients have voiced their opinion opposing this ban. They feel it will significantly
limit their abilities to maintain clean cows and produce quality milk. This has led to some significant dialogue between me and these
individuals.

It is recognized that AABP has a long-standing position statement not supporting the routine practice of tail docking unless medically
necessary. As president of the AABP, I have been brought into these conversations, and in some instances, challenged on the AABP’s position.

These are not always easy conversations to have, but we must support our profession, our organization and, most importantly, utilize
data to disseminate the science behind the “whats and whys” of these important decisions.

As we dissect Jim Mulhern’s statement, we see the NMPF obviously looked upon the science and also “advice of technical experts” and
“requests of our dairy customers and consumers”. This is important for veterinarians and dairy/beef producers to understand. We are
producing food products for the public and need to at least understand their viewpoints.

There are technologies and practices that we must continue to support and defend. The use of biotechnology such as GMOs and
preservation of antimicrobial use are a couple of important ones, and many organizations have contributed significant efforts to these.
Likewise, we must be transparent when there is little support for a practice such as tail docking.

I find a quote from a 2015 Journal of Dairy Science invited review, Changes in the dairy industry affecting dairy cattle health and
welfareᵻ, very appropriate. It said: “Concurrently, to remain competitive and to preserve their social license to operate, farmers are
increasingly required to adopt increased standards for food safety and biosecurity, become less reliant on the use of antimicrobials and
hormones, and provide assurances regarding animal welfare.”

Existing and new issues will continue to resonate within our profession and professional industries. We must utilize the knowledge we
have along with recognition of the viewpoints of consumers as we and our allied organizations address these concerns. Our alliances with
organizations such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and the Professional
Animal Auditor Certification Organization and others serve to strengthen our message.

The AABP also continues to be proactive in other venues such as our Ethics Task Force and AABP Board of Directors’ work to finalize an
important document, Guidelines for Managing the Risk of Inappropriate Influence with Prescribing and Recommending Animal Health Products.
This document will provide recommendations for navigating this topic within veterinary practice.

As future and current veterinary practitioners and members of our great organization, I ask you all to take on the task to engage with
colleagues, producers and industry professionals on these important topics. We need to support and stand our ground on issues that are
critical for the long-term future of our professional success, and we must also be cognizant of the issues that we cannot ethically
support nor find a scientific basis to do so. With this we can continue to promote agriculture and the safe and wholesome food supply
that we are part of contributing to our nation and the world.